I need help/suggestions about shooting a Wedding Reception

[nokili]

Hello guys and gals,

I am mostly not a "people" photographer. Actually I don't take pictures of people pretty much at all.

But a FOF asked that I take some photos at their friends wedding reception (the church is very strict about photos inside so they decided not to have any photos taken there)

Anyway, I am stressing out slightly now. I was hoping we could get some candid shots outside with the bride and groom etc (where lighting would be better) but the fires in AZ have made visibility here in NM about 15-20ft. So it looks like it will be indoor photos only.

Their expectations are low because I was honest and told them I am not normally a wedding photographer. Their original plan was not to have a "dedicated" photographer at all and just have everyone take pictures and share them.

However, even with the low expecations I would still like them to come out OK.

Any help/suggestions you all have for me (besides not doing it lol) would be appreciated

Maybe just some DO NOTS would be better than the DOS lol

Thanks!

 

[Opher]

Well i am by no means a wedding photographer but i had a few weddings last year that i took some pictures.(not in a professional manner just as a guest). Things i learned from the first one was make sure you have everything... double and triple check. Showing up at your sisters wedding with no batteries sucks. (had to shoot the entire ceremony in B&W film lol)
The second one the reception was really dark and it was a pain to get focus. I shoot canon and im told nikons focus better but i can not attest to that. About 1/3 through i swithced to manual and shot at a higher aperture to compensate. i also used a flash on TTL.

 

[Big Mike]

I'd suggest using your flash (sb-600)...probably a lot (bring lots of batteries).

If you can bounce the flash, then do it whenever it works well. Not just off the ceiling, but try bouncing it off of walls or just shooting it into a corner of the room you are in.
If you are in a bigger room (typical reception hall) then straight up bouncing may not be your best option, so experiment to find out what works. Shooting the flash directly/forward can work, but it typically makes for flat (boring light)...but that is still better than blurry or underexposed shots. Capturing great moments and expressions is going to be more important that getting perfect dramatic lighting.

When bouncing flash, you change the direction that the light hits the subject. If you shoot it up to the ceiling, the light will be coming down onto them...which can cause the same problems as shooting out in mid-day sun....raccoon eyes. The typical solution to this, is to use something to split up the flash beam, sending some of it up and some of it forward (or all around for added bounce). This is what most flash accessories do.
The most simple way to do this, is with a 'bounce card'. It can be a white card that is strapped/stuck to the back of the flash, sticking up in front of the head. This throws some light forward while most of it goes up to bounce of the ceiling. There are many products that do basically the same thing. Some of the flash accessories that I've got;
the Lumiquest 80-20,
the Demb Flip It
and the Lite Scoop

Each has times when they work well and times when they aren't ideal.

Other popular items are the Omni-Bounce and the Lightsphere.

One of the keys to good flash photography in these situations, is being able to balance the flash with the ambient light. This usually involves 'dragging the shutter'...using a slower shutter speed to get more ambient exposure. If you don't, the flash photos may have completely dark background, making it look like they are in a cave. You probably want to avoid that...unless the location is so ugly that the photos look better dark.


Of course, be on the look out for 'natural' occurrences of great lighting (windows etc.) and use them when you can.

 

[Big Mike]

I'd try to find out if they want you to shoot groups or not. It sounds like that is something they aren't concerned about (right now), but I've found that in these cases, they always want some sort of group photo when they see all their friends & family there and dressed up. So if you find yourself responsible for these photos, do your best.
I'd suggest trying to find a location or two that will work for posing the group shots that they want. Stairs usually work well because it makes it easy to arrange them in rows. Look for a location with few distractions.

If (when) they need help to arrange the group, just try to have them evenly spaced and remember triangles...not lines. In other words, don't pose anyone with their face directly above or below someone else's face...stagger the rows. Don't have three faces really close together, and then two others farther away. Imagine that it's just a photo of round ovals (faces) and arrange their bodies so that it makes for a nice composition of ovals.

Don't let them stand square to the camera, especially the ladies. Turn them at a slight angle.

It may or may not be a problem with lots of other people trying to shoot the group while you're doing it. Besides being annoying, this can cause the people in the photo to be confused about where to look. In this case, you need to assert some authority and have the group pay attention to you while you shoot. To keep everyone happy, you may want to step aside and let everyone else snap a few shots before you change the grouping.

 

[Big Mike]

As for shooting 'candids' of people during the wedding...just do your best. Sometimes you can get really great 'real' shots of people interacting with each other. A telephoto can help with this. But it takes time, skill and luck to get great shots this way all the time...you may end up with great candid shots of the backs of people heads etc. So if it fits the occasion, don't be afraid to quickly ask people to 'look this way' or something so that you get shots of people's faces, as that will be what the couple will appreciate later. You may even want to go around and get 'couple shots' or family groups. When you see a couple sitting/standing together, walk up and ask to take their photo.

Of course, capture the important moments of the reception. Speeches, hugs, kisses, first dance, father daughter dance etc. Cutting the cake, throwing the bouquet & garter etc. If it's a fun party with people dancing, make sure to capture that.

Shoot some detail. The flowers, the table settings, the decorations, the location etc.

 

[nokili]

I love you guys. thank you for the suggestions.

They have really REALLY really helped me think about how this will play out.

Part of this problem is I am not married, and have only been to two weddings in my life..weird I know...

I have been looking at reception photos a ton over the last few days and with your other suggestions I think I am calming down a bit and thats good lol.

Thanks again

 

[behanana]

The only other thing I will add to this, Mike covered more than I could ever tell ya, move around, I was recently at a wedding where the photogs didn't move nearly as much as they should have. They were new to wedding photography, but all I kept thinking to myself was MOVE! Remember, you have the camera, people expect you to be moving around in the front, so do it.

*I don't think it needs to be said, but I will anyways, just don't be rude about moving around.

 

[behanana]

Had another thought, I don't know if this was already hit on or not, ask the couple what the schedule is when they get to the reception, where they will be entering, what's happening and when. That way you will be able to get there, quickly scope the venue, and have some idea of how and where you want to be when the action happens, and you won't be caught off guard if they cut the cake as soon as they enter (that's what my wife and I did).

 

[Fleetwood271]

I'm planning for a wedding shoot in July and have been researching pix not to miss. Here are a couple of lists I have found, that you might also find some benefit in:

Posed Wedding Photography Before the Reception (These can also be taken before the ceremony)
___ Bride alone (full length)
___ Bride with Maid of Honor
___ Bride with bridesmaids
___ Groom with bridesmaids
___ Bride with parents
___ Bride & Groom together
___ Bride & Groom with parents
___ Bride & Groom with families
___ Bride & Groom with entire wedding party
___ Bride & Groom with flower girl and ringbearer
___ Groom with parents
___ Groom with best man
___ Groom with groomsmen
___ Bride with groomsmen


During the Reception (to help your photographer, you may wish to list these shots in the order they will happen at your reception)
___ Outside of reception site
___ Bride & Groom arriving
___ Bride & Groom greeting guests
___ Table centerpieces
___ Table setting
___ Bride & Groom's table (head table)
___ Musicians or DJ
___ Guest book
___ Place card table
___ Closeup of bride and groom's place card
___ Wedding cake
___ Groom's cake
___ Gift table
___ Decorations (specify which _________________________)
___ A shot of bride & groom with guests at each table
___ Bride with college alums
___ Groom with college alums
___ The buffet or, if having table service, a dinner serving
___ Bride & Groom's first dance
___ Bride & Father dancing
___ Groom & Mother dancing
___ Guests dancing
___ Bride & Groom cutting the cake
___ Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
___ Toasts (specify who is giving them: ____________________)
___ Bride & Groom drinking champagne
___ Signing the marriage license
___ Bride throwing bouquet
___ Groom retrieving garter
___ Groom tossing garter
___ Garter/Bouquet dance
___ The getaway car
___ Bride & Groom leaving party
___ Bride & Groom driving away



Here is the 2nd one:

Reception

* ____ Parents being announced
* ____ Wedding Party being announced
* ____ Bride & Groom being announced
* ____ Bride & Groom’s first dance
* ____ Wedding party dancing
* ____ Bride’s dance with father
* ____ Groom’s dance with mother
* ____ Best Man toasting Bride & Groom
* ____ Bride & Groom with Champagne glasses
* ____ Bride & Groom’s kiss after the toast
* ____ Wedding Cake
* ____ Bride & Groom cutting cake
* ____ Bride feeding Groom
* ____ Groom feeding Bride
* ____ Kiss after cutting cake
* ____ Bride tossing bouquet
* ____ Groom taking off garter
* ____ Guests dancing
* ____ Bride & Groom’s last dance

 

[illbowhunter]

Shot my first wedding last weekend and the biggest thing I learned was how the bride's WHITE dress will really screw up your exposure. I kept shooting with flash and the setting I thought were correct but everything was coming out underexposed. Later I learned that the white dress was the problem. I will know better next time.

 

[keethjon]

I used to shoot weddings a long time ago. (sorry I don't have any examples left to show) I suggest you take someone with you to help set up the formal shots and to do crowd control. Everyone at the wedding has a camera and as soon as they see a pose being set up they will be all in your way. Not intentionally, but people get excited and want to get the shot too. It is a good idea to try to do the formals somewhere away from the general public.
Also, find someone at the reception who knows the order of events so you know whats going to happen before it happens. Weddings can be tricky. One moment everyone is sitting around doing nothing, then all of a sudden they're throwing the bouquet or cutting the cake. Once those things get started, a crowd will quickly gather so you have to be there first to get the best position for the shots.
Lastly, do some serious cramming on wedding poses. You can be creative, but people tend to like the tried and tested general poses. Good Luck

Keith
Easy Basic Photography

 

[nokili]

Thanks Everyone.

Jeez I am even more nervous now.

I have NO idea how they will be entering, WHEN, etc. :lmao:

I'll figure it out. Yikes Yikes Yikes

I wish I had more time to shadow a wedding photog and see what they do. Oh well...i'll get something ok I hope.

I am not going to be able to find/get another camera before saturday, but one of the guests (my fof) will be taking some photos too.

Anyway..since I only will have my camera, would you all suggest that I stick with one Lens? and if so what one of mine should I use?

50mm fixed
18-105
70-300mm?

 

[Dao]

I do not know anything about shooting wedding, but if you have not check out this thread, maybe go take a peek.


http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/professional-gallery/20069-hot-tips-wedding-photography.html